Bulls Push Through the Uncertainty

<I>TheStreet's</I> latest Bull vs. Bear survey finds investors optimistic on stocks' chances this week despite uncertainty surrounding the mid-term elections and possible Fed easing.

Author:: Joseph Woelfel
Publish date:: Nov 1, 2010 5:02 AM EDT

NEW YORK (

TheStreet

) -- Sure, there's quite a bit of uncertainty with the mid-terms elections Tuesday and a probable announcement Wednesday from the

Federal Reserve

of further quantitative easing, but

TheStreet's

latest Bull vs. Bear survey finds investors optimistic on the chances that stocks will head higher this week.

As of 5 a.m. EDT Monday, the poll finds survey-takers who were bullish on stocks tallying 200 votes, or 51.9%, of the 385 total votes cast. Bears came in with 145 votes, or 37.7%, while those neutral on stocks this week were at 40 votes, or 10.4%.

Poll participants expect the precious metals sector to lead gainers this week, followed by the commercial banks. Expected to lead decliners this week are the same two sectors but with banks in first place.

U.S. voters go to the polls Tuesday with many prognosticators expecting a balance of power shift in the House as Republicans may pick up more than 40 seats to give them a majority. It's less likely Republicans will garner enough votes to gain control of the Senate.

The same day the voting takes place, the Federal Reserve convenes its two-day monetary policy meeting. It's expected on Wednesday the Fed will announce more stimulus measures to provide a boost to the economy. Most market-watchers expect easing from the Fed but the question centers on how much stimulus the central bank will provide. The numbers being bandied about range from $500 billion to $1 trillion.

Earnings season continues this week as well with the likes of

Pfizer

(PFE) - Get Report

Kraft

(KFT)

Corning

(GLW) - Get Report

MasterCard

(MA) - Get Report

Time Warner

(TWX)

and